Automatic liquid regulating system



Dec. 28, 1937. M. E. WALTERS ET AL. 2,303,577@

AUTOMATIC LIQUID REGULATING SYSTEM Fil'ed Dec. 20, 1955 ATTO/@NEX Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT orner;

Y 2,103,570 AUTOMATIC LIQUID REGULATING SYSTEM Michael Edward Walters and John Arthur Wolfe, Huntington Park, Calif.

Application December ,20, 1935, Serial No.` 55,460 s claims. (o1. 12e-451)' This invention relates to a system for controlsince the scope of our invention is best defined ling the liquid level in a steam boiler or the like, in the appended claims.

and particularly to a pumping device for supply- In the drawing:- ing water to the boiler. Figure 1 is an automatic fluid regulating sys- An object of the present invention is the protem embodying the invention. 5 vision of means for maintaining a substantially Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional constant fluid level in a steam boiler. View through the novel differential uid pump Another object of the invention is to make contemplated by the invention, and possible the utilization of the steam pressure Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View taken Within the boiler for forcing fluid thereinto. as indicated by line 3--3 of Figure 2. 10

Another object of the invention is the provi- We find our regulating system particularly'usesion of an automatic diierential pumping devicev ful in connection with steam boilers such as which employs the steam-pressure Within the those used in pressing establishments, where boiler for forcing liquid thereinto. steam is constantly being used in thepressing of A further object of the invention is to provide garments. At present, the operator must rely 15 a liquid regulating system which embodies a difupon his memory to observe the water gauge on ferential fluid pump for forcing liquid into the the boiler from time to time, in order to mainboiler, and afloat-controlled valve for controlling tain the proper Water level within the boiler, its operation; and to further provide such a valve which is accomplished through the manual mawhich is responsive to a variation in'liquid level nipulation of a valve. Such an arrangement is 20 within the boiler for eiecting the operation of uncertain and results in much loss of time, since the pump. the water in the boiler is often inadvertently per- Another object contemplated by the invention, mitted to reach a low level, whereupon an apis the provision of a novel differential uid pump preciable admittance of cold Water reduces the having -a valve-controlled outlet in its low prestemperature of the Waterrwithin the boiler, thus 25 sure side and a restricted inlet for rendering the making it necessary to discontinue operations low pressure side continuously communicative `until the steam pressure is again built up. The

with a source of fluid pressure. present inventionobviates such difficulties by the A further object of the invention is the proviprovision of a system for automatically admitting sion of a'system for regulating the liquid level Water to the boiler gradually as the water therein 30 in a vapor generator, which embodies a diieris converted into steam.

ential fluid pump adapted to employ the gas pres- Figure 1 of the drawing shows a steam boiler I0 sure from said generator for forcing liquid thereof the type commonly used in pressing establishinto, and means for regulating the admission of ments. Said boiler is provided with a steam takeliquid from said fluid pumpf into said generator. olf pipe II and a water level indicating tube I2.

Another object of the invention is the provi- Itshould be understood that the temperature 35 sion of a differential fluid pumping device having and pressure within the boiler may be controlled a restricted inlet into its low pressure side, and by a thermostatically controlled heat source (not a valve controlled outlet from said low pressure ShOWfD- h i 40 side whose cross sectional Varea is substantially The System employed for mamtammg a Sub- 40 greater than that of the restricted inlet, whereby startiauy Constant Water level in the Poner em' to permit a rapid evacuation of fluidfrom the low bches a' oat actuated regulair'irtg devlce I3 and pressure side with a minimum effect upon the a `novel differential vpump or inJector I4, which is adapted to employ steam pressure from the l'isl gllld to Obvlate the necesslty boiler l0, for forcing water from a low pressure 45 This invention pssesses many other, advam source of supply, through the regulator, 1nto the boiler, and against the steam pressure therein. tages and, has other Obects. Whlch Wm M made The actuation of the pump I4 is controlled by the more easlly apparnt from a' conslderamn of regulating device I3, which is responsive to varia- 50 one' or more embfmlments thereof' For thls pur tions in the Water level within the boiler for ad- 50 pose one form 1S shown m the accompanying mitting and cutting 01T the ow of water into drawing which illustrates the general principles the boiler, The regmator |3 and the high presl 0f 0111 nVentGn and S hereinafter described Sure Side 0f the pump I4 are gnnected t0 a, Source in detail; but it is to be understood that this deof water supply through a pipe I5, which may be ,55 scriptlon is not to be` takenl in alimiting sense, connectedwith the ordinary water main I5', and 55 `lower cylinder the regulator is in turn connected to the water chamber of the boiler through a pipe I6. The low pressure side of the pump is connected with the steam chamber of the boiler through a steam supply pipe I1, and a balanced steam pressure is established in the boiler and regulator through the pipe I 8, which connects said regulator with the steam supply pipe I1.

The regulating device I3 comprises a housing I9 which contains a valve 26, and a float 2| for actuating the same. rI'he valve 26 controls the passage of water into the regulator from the pipe I5, through a passage 22 formed in the cover 23.

It is preferred to position the regulator as-near to the boiler as is practical, in order to maintain the temperature of the water in both-containers substantially the same. By directing the cold water from the pipe I5 to thebottom of the regulator I3, the possibility of aiecting appreciably the temperatureof the waters surface within Vthe regulator is reduced, thus insuring against any undesirable steam condensation in the regulator and lowering of the steam pressure .within the boiler I 0. The regulator I3 is so positioned with respect to the desired water level within the boiler I6, that thebuoyant force on the float 2I is just suilicient to normally maintain lthe valve 2G in its closed position. However, it will be obvious how a slight drop in the water level within the boiler, will result in a corresponding drop in the water level within the regulator, and a lowering of the iioatEI to open'the valve 2l).`

A steam pressureV of approximately seventy pounds is usually maintained within boilers used in pressing establishments, and the water pressure in the water main varies from 'thirty to fty pounds. It is accordingly necessary that the steam pressure be sufficiently low to permit the Aadmission of -water into the boiler. In the system 'into the boiler correspondingly as the watertherein is being converted into steam. The float and valve mechanism can be so balanced with respect to the maximum water level within the boiler, as to permit a substantially constant seepageV of water into the boiler to compensate for the water being converted into steam. Thus it will be obvious that the temperatures and pressures within the boiler will not be appreciably affected by the admission of such small quantities o1" water thereinto.

The novel diierential pump or injector I4 used for forcing water through the regulator I3 into the boiler In, is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. It comprises a pair of differential cylinders 24 and 25, respectively containing a pair of differential pistons 26 and 21, which are connected for simultaneousmovement by a member 28. The pistons are shown in the form of cups, which may be made from any appropriate material such as leather or the like. The piston cup 26 is supported on the upper end of the member 28 and is secured thereto by a plate 29 and bolt 3Q. The piston cup 21 is secured to the lower end ofthe member 28 by a plate 3l and screws 32. The upper cylinder 24 communicates with the water supply pipe I5 through the pipe 3| and the communicates with the steam chamber of the boiler I6, through the steam supply pipe I1 as shown clearest in Figure 1. Thus, it will be obvious how the steam pressure is at all times-acting on the lower piston 21 in an effort to raise the valve construction. However, when .forces the piston structure upwardly and due to the diiierential between the upper and lower cylinders and pistons, the pressure on the water 'is built up in excess of the steam pressure within the boiler I3, and thewater is accordingly forced past the check valve 33 into the regulator, from whence it enters the boiler through the pipe I6. During this upward movement of the valve structure, the water .being pumped is prevented from backing up into the water supply pipe I5 by the check valve 32. An opening O in the upper end of the lower cylinder 25, provides'a means of relief for steam or the like, whichmight become trapped between the pistons. During the downward movement of the valve structure, the high pressure water previously pumped, is restrained against backing up into the upper cylinder ofthe injector I4 by the check valve 33. Accordingly the water from the low pressure supply pipe I5 is permitted to enter the upper cylinder of'the injector through the check valve 32.

Meansis provided for lquickly exhausting the steam from the lower cylinder when the piston structure has reached the upper end of its stroke, whereby to permit its quick return to the position shown in Figure 2. 'This Vis accomplished through a quick acting valve structure which is actuated by the piston structure. It includes a valve V34, which operates in an opening v35 extending through the bottom 36 of the injector, to open and close the outlet passage 31, which is communicative between the interior'of the cylinder 25 and the exhaust pipe 38 through the lower end of the valve opening 35. The upper end of the valve 34 is pivotally secured as by a pivot pin 39, to one end of an arm 4I), which is in turn pivotally supported at 4I, to an upwardly extending member 42 formed on the bottomV 36 of the injector. The-lowerV end of an operating rod 43 is supported for movement by a link 44, which has one end pivotally connected thereto as at 45, and the other end pivotally connected to a support 46 formed on the bottom 36. The lower end of the operating rod '43 is connected to the outer endV of the valve operating arm through a pair of springs 41, which are secured to the pivot pins '39 and 45. The operating rod 43 extends through the lower piston cup 21 into a -`longitudinal opening 48 formed in the piston connecting member 28, and is provided on its upper end with an enlarged head 49 over which'the member 28 moves. Thus, when the piston structure approaches the upper end of its stroke, the lower piston cup 21 engages the enlarged head 49. The operating rod 43 is accordingly moved upwardly until its lower Ypivotal connection moves above the pivotal connection 39, at which time the springs 41 act to quickly move the valve 34 above the steam outlet port V31, to permit an exhaust of the steam from the lower cylinder 25. The valve structure when in its downward position, is supported on the upper end of the member 42 formed on the bottom 36.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of the restricted steam inlet 50 leading into the lower cylinder 25, and through vist which the cylinder is rendered continuously communicative with the steam chamber of the boiler l0. It will be clear from the construction of Figure 2, that the cross sectional area of the steam exhaust port 31 is much greater than that of the restricted inlet opening D and that said exhaust port is controlled by a quick acting valve. Thus it will be obvious how the exhaust valve need only to be opened for an instant to permit a complete exhaustion of steam from the cylinder 25 and a quick return of the piston structure. The small amount of steam entering the cylinder 25 through the restricted inlet is not suicient to affect the quick downward movement of the piston structure, and the back pressure through said restricted inlet into the steam chamber of the boiler isnegligible; It will thus be clear from the construction, how the need for an inlet valve is obviated, thus reducing the cost of manufacture of the differential pumping device. f

We claim:

1. In a system of the character described, a boiler for generating steam, a fluid boosting device having high and low pressure sides, means for connecting said high and W pressure sides With the Water and steam chambers respectively of the steam boiler, the high pressure side of said boosting device being connected with the fluid to be pumped and the low pressure side being continuously under the inuence of the steam `pressure Within the boiler, a iioat actuated valve interposed in the waterr line between the high pressure side of the boosting device and the boiler, said valve being responsive to variations in Water level within the boiler for controlling the actuation of said boosting device, and means forming a valve-controlled outlet from the low pressure side of said device.

2. In a system of the character described, in combination, a reservoir for liquid, a boosting device having high and low pressure sides, means for connecting the high pressure side of said boosting device with said liquid reservoir, said high pressure side being, also connected with a fluid supply source, means for rendering the low pressure side of the boosting devicecontinuously communicative with pressure fluid by which said boosting device is actuated, means for controlling the admission of liquid from the high pressure side of said boosting device to the liquid reservoir,

, and means forming a valve-controlled outlet from the low pressure side of said device.

3. Inl a system of the character described, in combination, a generating device for converting liquid into gas, a fluid boosting device having high and low pressure sides, means for connectn ing the high pressure side of said boosting device with said generating device, said high pressure side being also connected with a source oi liquid, means for rendering the low pressure side of the boosting device continuously communicative with a source of uid pressure when the system is in operation, means for controlling the admission of liquid from the high pressure side of said boosting device to the generating device, and

' means forming a valve-controlled outlet from the tional valves in said water supply line on opposite sides of the connection from said boosting device, means for rendering the low pressure side of the boosting device continuously communicative with a source of fluid pressure when the system is in operation, saidboosting device being operable by said fluid pressure for forcing water through said water supply line into said boiler, and means forming a valve-controlled outlet from the low pressure side of said device.

5. In a fluid boosting device, means forming an outlet from the high pressure side of said device, means forming a restricted inlet into the low pressure side of said device through which fluid is admitted from an external source for operating the device,said restricted inlet being permanently open and suiciently small to permit continuous communication between the low pressure side of said booster and the fluid pressure source during the exhaustion of iluid from said low pressure side, and a Valve controlled exhaust passage leading from the low pressure side whose cross sectional area is substantially greater than that of the restricted inlet.

6. A fluid boosting device embodying, a pair of differential cylinders, a pair of differential pistons connected for simultaneous movement within said respective cylinders, means forming a passage in the high pressure cylinder through which fluid to be purnped is passed into and out of the device, means forming a permanently opened restricted inlet into the low pressure cylinder through which fluid is admitted for operating the device, said inlet being sufficiently small to permit continuous communication between the low pressure cylinder and the operating iiuid during the exhaustion of fluid from said low pressure cylinder without appreciably retarding the exhausting operation, and a valve controlled exhaust passage leading from the low pressure cylinder whose cross sectional area is substantially greater than that of the restricted inlet.

7. In a system of the character described, liquid receiving means, a liquid boosting device having high and low pressure sides, means for connecting the high pressure of said boosting device with said liquid receiving means for supplying liquid thereto, said high pressure side being also ccnnected with a source of liquid supply, means forming a permanently opened restricted inlet through which operating fluid is supplied under pressure to said low pressure side for eiiecting a movement of liquid from the high pressure side, and means providing a valve-controlled outlet from the low pressure side for the exhaustion cf operating fluid at the end of the liquid boosting operation.

8. A fluid boosting device including high and low pressure sides, said high pressure side being adapted to receive a fluid to be moved, means forming a permanently opened restricted inlet through which operating fluid is adapted to be supplied under pressure to the low pressure side of said device for effecting the operation of said device to force uid from the high pressure side thereof, and means forming a Valve-controlled outlet from the low pressure side for effecting an v exhaustion of operation fluid therefrom at the end of the fluid boosting operation, said outlet being substantially larger than said restricted inlet.

MICHAEL EDWARD WAL'IERS. JOHN ARTHUR WOLFE. 

